A defining figure in U.S. economic policy has passed, closing a chapter that shaped global markets for nearly two decades. Alan Greenspan, who led the Federal Reserve through boom years and financial upheaval, died Monday at the age of 100.

According to CNBC, Greenspan’s wife, NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell, confirmed his death, stating he died at home from complications of Parkinson’s disease. His passing marks the end of a career that influenced monetary policy across multiple political eras and economic cycles.

A Long Tenure at the Fed

Greenspan served as the 13th chair of the Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006. He held the role under four U.S. presidents, making him one of the longest-serving central bank leaders in modern history.

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According to the New York Times, traders often said that when Greenspan spoke, the forex Forex Foreign exchange or forex is the act of converting one nation’s currency into another nation’s currency (that possesses a different currency); for example, the converting of British Pounds into US Dollars, and vice versa. The exchange of currencies can be done over a physical counter, such as at a Bureau de Change, or over the internet via broker platforms, where currency speculation takes place, known as forex trading.The foreign exchange market, by its very nature, is the world’s largest tradi Foreign exchange or forex is the act of converting one nation’s currency into another nation’s currency (that possesses a different currency); for example, the converting of British Pounds into US Dollars, and vice versa. The exchange of currencies can be done over a physical counter, such as at a Bureau de Change, or over the internet via broker platforms, where currency speculation takes place, known as forex trading.The foreign exchange market, by its very nature, is the world’s largest tradi Read this Term market would either freeze in anticipation or move sharply within seconds. That reputation reflected his status as Federal Reserve chair whose speeches and testimonies regularly reached traders worldwide in real time, prompting them to scrutinize every word and change in tone for signals on future policy shifts.

Contemporary coverage of his 1996 irrational exuberance remarks documented how a brief passage buried deep in a broader speech unsettled markets from Tokyo to London to New York, underscoring how even a short comment on asset prices could trigger immediate moves in stocks and, by extension, related currency trades.

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During his tenure, the U.S. economy experienced a prolonged expansion from 1991 to 2001. The period saw strong growth, low inflation, and rising financial markets. The Federal Reserve noted that under his leadership, policymakers maintained price stability and strengthened public confidence in the institution.

The central bank said Greenspan brought rigorous analytical discipline to monetary policy and helped build credibility that continues to support its operations today.

Policy Influence and Criticism

Greenspan helped shape what many consider modern American capitalism. His approach to monetary policy and financial markets influenced central banking practices globally.

However, his record drew criticism after the global financial crisis of 2007–2008. Critics argued that his support for financial deregulation contributed to systemic risks that later destabilized markets. His tenure remains closely tied to debates about the balance between market freedom and regulatory oversight.

Despite this, Greenspan acknowledged policy shortcomings later in his career, reinforcing his reputation as a policymaker willing to reflect on past decisions.